Thieves made off with sentimental Christmas decorations from outside a house while the family slept inside.

The items, including reindeer, a tree and a polar bear, were taken from the garden of the home in Istead Rise.

The festive pieces belonged to the Farrington family who have been delighting neighbours and youngsters for almost 20 years with their colourful displays.

The thefts overnight last Wednesday, December 12 were discovered by Mark Farrington’s children when they opened the curtains at the home last Thursday morning.

The thieves cut the electrical cords from each decoration and left with them all, despite the items being properly pinned down.

Mr Farrington, 46, a dad of three sons, has lived in the road for more than 20 years.

He said some of the items were years old and had belonged to his late father, John, who started the tradition all those years ago.

He said: “The kids opened the curtains and asked where the reindeers had gone.

“The reindeers were 18-years-old and belonged to my dad, my brother had got them from America for him..." - Mark Farrington

“The polar bear was for our son’s first Christmas and he is now three and was just getting into it all.

“The boys and my wife Kate have been left upset by it.

“The reindeers were 18-years-old and belonged to my dad, my brother had got them from America for him.

“He always put decorations outside for the kids and we continued the tradition when he passed away.”

The thefts happened the same week a spate of burglaries prompted police to issue advice to homeowners.

Three homes in Downs Road and Istead Rise had power tools, horse tack and quad bike stolen from sheds.

Mr Farrington added: “They have been part of Christmas celebrations for many years, so it is the sentimental value and memories they hold more than anything.

“I took over doing the decorations 10 years ago when he died and the decorations have been around for all the family’s children growing up.

“It’s the sentimental and memories that is the hardest part.

“The fact they just cut all the wires and took them means they are basically no good to anybody now.

“I hope their Christmas is filled with pain and misery as I have some very upset children and adults in the house now.”

“It is just a nasty thing to do and my mum, who is in her 70s, has been left very upset and feels a bit vulnerable about it as they were dad’s decorations.

“It is a despicable thing to have done.

“It has tainted the run up to Christmas for us all.”